GMAT 715: My Four-Attempt Strategy to Break Through a Plateau
April 2024 GMAT Focus Edition 715 (99th Percentile) V85 Q90 DI81 (Dustin’s Finalist Course)
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Academic Background: National Chengchi University, Department of Information Management
Preparation Status: Studying while working
English Proficiency: College Entrance Examination Level 15 / TOEFL 108
Preparation Materials: OG, OV, PP, Data Insight Review, Dustin’s Finalist Course materials
Preparation Duration: September 2023 – January 2024
Choice of Cram School
Preparation Process
June 2023 – July 2023: First Attempt
I took the exam right after finishing the course, still unsure about my understanding. At the time, I just wanted to test the waters and get a feel for the exam atmosphere.
August 2023 – September 2023: Second Attempt
October 2023 – December 2023: Third Attempt
December 2023 – January 2024: Fourth Attempt
After the third attempt, the deadline for Round 2 applications for my target schools was fast approaching. Even taking the exam 16 days later would be too late. So, I nervously submitted my application with my third attempt scores. However, with the significant improvement from the second to the third attempt and discussions with my application consultant, I wasn’t willing to settle for a score of 615. I resolutely decided to take the test again, planning to update my score with the schools I had already applied to if I achieved a better result. By the time of my fourth attempt, I wasn’t as stressed as I was between the second and third attempts. In fact, I spent less time on the GMAT during this period. I approached the exam with a relaxed mindset while strictly managing my time.
Section-Specific Insights
The old GMAT has been discontinued, so I’m sharing insights for the new GMAT Focus Edition.
Q:
For Quant, it’s all about practicing problems relentlessly. Practice truly makes perfect here. Besides occasionally reviewing the original KH course materials, I spent my time diligently working through practice questions. Before enrolling in Dustin’s Finalist Course, I had signed up for two sessions of KH’s Math Snake (a daily practice problem set). The Math Snake program is an excellent resource for working professionals! It provides 12-13 problems daily and updates with video explanations from the instructor by evening, with all explanations removed by early the next morning. This daily problem list format helps students build a consistent practice habit. Furthermore, each day’s list specifies the recommended time to complete it, which not only fosters discipline but also helps train time management. For someone like me who performed poorly on the first attempt, this was an invaluable resource! Combined with the subsequent review of key concepts from Dustin’s Finalist Course and repeated practice, I achieved a 99th percentile score in Quant on my fourth attempt.
V:
During the old GMAT, I always struggled to understand how to approach CR and RC. Despite doing practice questions, I felt lost with every single one. I realized this approach would lead to failure, so I reached out to Dustin for his Finalist Course.
During my first consultation with Dustin, he thoroughly explained the differences between the old and new GMAT formats. After careful consideration, and given that working professionals have limited time (starting work at 8:30 AM and getting home by 7:30 PM at the earliest), I decided to switch to the new GMAT Focus Edition. I decided to drop the old SC section and dedicate more time to Quant, CR, and RC, especially since I had performed reasonably well in IR on the old format.
CR:
I adopted Dustin’s method: first, I formulate my answer in my mind, then I review the options. I eliminate any options that don’t align with my initial thought, and then re-read the question and passage to determine the correct answer. This approach prevented me from being misled by the answer choices, as I had experienced in the past. Combined with Dustin’s homework assignments, this practice habit allowed me to complete CR questions within 2 minutes during my subsequent practice sessions.
When I transitioned from Medium to Hard difficulty questions, I doubted myself multiple times due to a significant increase in incorrect answers. However, it’s crucial not to get discouraged during these moments. By carefully analyzing the reasoning behind the difficult questions, you’ll discover that they all have a specific problem-solving logic.
RC:
Dustin assessed my vocabulary level at the beginning and provided a vocabulary list along with methods for memorization. By expanding my vocabulary, my reading became smoother, and my speed increased. My specific issue was that I could read passages quickly, but I often just skimmed through them and immediately forgot what I had just read. To address this, Dustin helped me develop article memory training, enabling me to gradually grasp the main points of passages. This was incredibly helpful for my RC performance later on. Coupled with Dustin’s strategies for different RC question types, my RC question-solving speed significantly increased, allowing me to allocate more time to my weaker area, CR.
DI:
For DI, I focused on two key aspects: time management and not being afraid to cut losses. Dustin provided solutions for more challenging question types, so I felt confident in my problem-solving techniques. However, a common issue in DI is the sheer volume of information. Sometimes, a slight misreading of the question can lead to being stuck, causing me to spend too much time on a single question. Therefore, during my subsequent DI practice, if I encountered any difficulty, I would immediately move to the next question. This approach reduced my mental pressure during practice tests and the actual exam. As I practiced more, I became more proficient, and in the end, the number of questions I needed to revisit to correct answers was usually no more than three.
